Administration

Remember how many times you sat through this video back in the day…and neither the lyrics nor the images seemed to make sense. Sure you do. We loved it anyway because it was unique and dynamic and had a catchy beat. Who cares if we couldn’t sing along, right? Well, now you can, thanks to Dustin McLean. Enjoy this and let me know if you got through it without at least one LOL.

Special thanks to Brian…my favorite Hedgehog for alerting me to this! Go visit his blog, listed under “Friends” in my right column.

Exodus 22:21 Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. 22 And she bore him a son, and he called his name Gershom; for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”

Maybe it has to be 11:00 p.m. or later – like it is now – for me to find this stuff hilarious. The fact remains that I am just tickled pink by this whole thing. A bunch of YouTubers seem to enjoy taking old videos of pop hits and overdubbing them with death metal versions of the songs. While it may sound like something that would get boring in a hurry (especially for a middle aged woman who does not listen to death metal), I’ve gotta say: When done well, this is truly an art form. (Warning: The comments sections of these video pages are littered with profanity.)

Like that? I placed it first because it was the most listenable track I found. Now, how about Britney Spears’ covered by “Ten Masked Men.” I just could not stop laughing watching this. It’s 11:09 now. Maybe that’s why. Or, maybe it’s really just funny as all getout:

These are the only two I found that were good enough to post here. There are more, including several attempts to cover Tay Zonday’s “Chocolate Rain,” death metal style. All of those failed miserably, making me wonder why so many people thought it would be a good idea to try. See, now? It’s 11:22 and I seem to be coming to my senses! What did you think?

Job 37:17 Why are your garments hot, When He quiets the earth by the south wind? 18 With Him, have you spread out the skies, Strong as a cast metal mirror? 19 “Teach us what we should say to Him, For we can prepare nothing because of the darkness. 20 Should He be told that I wish to speak? If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up.

Meet Molly. She’s a gray speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Katrina hit southern Louisiana. She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier, and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected and her vet went to LSU for help. But LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes.But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on different sides so she didn’t seem to get sores, and how she allowed people to handle her. She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight, and didnt overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.

Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee and a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out of the clinic and her story really begins there.

This was the right horse and the right owner,’ Moore insists. Molly happened to be a one-in-a-million patient. Shes tough as nails, but sweet, and she was willing to cope with pain. She made it obvious she understood (that) she was in trouble. The other important factor, according to Moore, is having a truly committed and compliant owner who is dedicated to providing the daily care required over the lifetime of the horse.

Mollys story turns into a parable for life in post-Katrina Louisiana The little pony gained weight, her mane felt a comb. A human prosthesis designer built her a leg.

The prosthetic has given Molly a whole new life, Allison Barca DVM, Molly’s regular vet, reports. And she asks for it. She will put her little limb out, and come to you and let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes she wants you to take it off too.’ And sometimes, Molly gets away from Barca. It can be pretty bad when you can’t catch a three-legged horse, she laughs.

Most important of all, Molly has a job now. Kay, the rescue farm owner, started taking Molly to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers. Anywhere she thought that people needed hope. Wherever Molly went, she showed people her pluck. She inspired people. And she had a good time doing it.

Its obvious to me that Molly had a bigger role to play in life, Moore said, She survived the hurricane, she survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope to others. She could be a symbol for New Orleans itself.

This week, Molly the Pony, a childrens book about the pony who has already inspired thousands of people around New Orleans, has been published. Its not a book about amputation or prosthetics, its a book about people and ponies.

Not very well-written, but you can read the snopes article here, which is a much more eloquent account of Molly’s story and provides some links to other articles about her. The book, “Molly the Pony,” is available on Amazaon.com.

LSU’s YouTube channel offers this promotional video featuring Molly. If you’re squeamish, be aware there are a couple of mildly graphic views of Molly’s wounds and surgery.

This is Molly’s most recent prosthesis, which has a smiley face embossed in it. Wherever Molly goes, she leaves a smiley hoof print behind. Last time I published a feel-good animal story, I was a little cantankerous, but I’m feeling warmed and inspired by this story, from the spunk of the pony to the compassion of the rescuer to the remarkable medical and technological teamwork that went in to giving Molly a new lease on life. Her smiling hoof-print and her work with children make this that much more special. Today, I am thankful for this opportunity to witness humanity at its best…and to read a Katrina success story.

Isaiah 63:13 Who led them through the deep, As a horse in the wilderness, That they might not stumble?” 14 As a beast goes down into the valley, And the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest, So You lead Your people, To make Yourself a glorious name.

It’s Friday. The SuperNote challenge launched 5 days ago (I blogged that here). I’ll tell you this much: Rhett and Link dream big! On Day 5, at 11:30 a.m. EST, 678 people have submitted their video SuperNote for the team captain of their choice. That’s an average of 136 submissions a day. The contest continues until Halloween. If things continue at this rate, there should be about 5,424 videos of people going “AAaahhhhhh…” on YouTube by then. That, my friends, is an EVENT!

So, here’s what’s going on:

Rhett and Link, famed internet comedy duo (see box in my left column and link in my right) have hatched this wickedly cool idea. Challenge the YouTube community to record themselves making the longest vocal note they can produce and upload it as a video response to their team captain’s SuperNote video. The team captains are these popular YouTube entertainers, all of whom have significant followings:

As a casual YouTuber, I was unfamiliar with most of these people, but now subscribe to nearly all of them. So, this is bound to be good for business for the team captains! I borrowed these graphics from Rhett and Link’s website, where you, too, can visit to keep an eye on the contest as it develops, choose a team captain, read comments, and view the top 100 submissions on a given day. That’s rhettandlink.com/supernote. Click on any of the team captain banners there and you’ll be whisked to the team standings for that captain.

As SuperNote videos are submitted, they are tracked by a super secret review database where several actual human beings sit, watch, and time the SuperNotes. They are given Mini Wheat Thins and small bits of swiss cheese for their efforts. Water if they review more than 20 submissions in a half-hour period. At least, that’s what I’ve heard. From there, the top 10 SuperNoters are displayed on the SuperNote page (updated periodically), as well as the overall team standings. At this writing, here is what those stats looked like:

September 26, 11:30 a.m. Standings

Visit the Rhett & Link SuperNote page to see this chart live and to click on those links so you can view these over-achievers with your own eyes and ears. Heck, let’s face it, this is not nearly as much fun to read about as it is to actually listen to. The first few are annoying, but after a while, there’s a kind of zen-like feeling that creeps in. By the 10th video, you’re convinced you have to be part of this thing! You have been warned.

Yours truly is currently in the #35 position, which is not too shabby, considering how many entrants we have at the moment!

September 26, 11:30 a.m. Ranking

Here’s what I think about the SuperNote contest…er, challenge…er, experiment. I think it is good, clean fun that absolutely anyone can participate in and that it builds fellowship and community. There are a few complainers that don’t seem to like contests that have actual rules. SuperNotes must be one, real, continuous note produced by the person (or persons) whose face can be seen on the video producing it. If you don’t have a microphone, don’t like your face seen on the internet, or flat out think you can cheat your way to the top, you’re just not in the right contest. Complaints these exclusions aren’t “fair,” are cropping up, but to them I say, “Hey! This is a silly internet contest…lighten up!”

Prizes are being offered by Rhett & Link as well as by some of the team captains. Creativity is rewarded as well as simply holding the note the longest. I’m glad I discovered The Boiz (I had better call them “The Boiz” at least once in this post since I made such a big deal about that being my personal pet name for them in the launch post) before this took off. It’s a great ride, playing in their yard. Go find out for yourself! I’m predicting right now that this will make national news and result in late night talk show appearances for at least The Boiz, and maybe some team captains as well. So, why not get in on the ground floor!

Exodus 32:18 It is not the noise of the shout of victory, Nor the noise of the cry of defeat, But the sound of singing I hear.

Katers17 is one of the YouTube team captains for the “SuperNote” collaborative experiment/contest spawned by Rhett and Link. Don’t know about that yet because you don’t read my blog every day or because you don’t know Rhett and Link or because you actually have a life outside of the internet? Well, either check out yesterday’s post here at the Garden Party or head on over here for more information on how you can become a part of the greatest thing that has ever happened to YouTube. Miss that, and you’ve missed being a part of history. That would be tragic.

I’ve only been a casual YouTuber since I first discovered it a couple of years ago. I don’t follow many of its in-house celebrities. When Weezer did their “Pork and Beans,” video last May, I discovered a whole bunch of iconic YouTube figures and realized I wasn’t fulfilling my civic duty to stuff my brain full of popular culture until I glaze over. So, I gave myself an education and added a bunch of subscriptions to my channel. However, neither Rhett & Link nor Katers17 were included in that pantheon. Now, with the SuperNote party in full swing, The Boiz (my new pet name for R&L) have introduced me to a whole new crop of wackos that are beginning to really eat into my real life. Not that I’m protesting…much.

Rhett & Link themselves (oh, excuse me…I mean, The Boiz (that might get old sooner than I anticipated…even for me)) wormed their way into my heart the very moment they showed up in my email inbox and have simply refused to leave that warm and cozy spot even though they aren’t paying any rent. But, that’s okay…they’ve commented here (which is very close to paying rent in my book…I thrive on comments) and they’ve called me “awesome,” (which is actually one better than paying rent). Beyond that, they’ve led me to Katers17. Let me tell you something, friends. This is exactly what YouTube ought to be about! Katers17 has real talent, and has that spectacular combination of gorgeousness and humor that make a performer irresistible. She sets out to entertain…and I’d much rather watch one of her sketches than some dude making sure the world knows how little thought he is willing to put in before activating his webcam. Want to meet her? Of course you do. Here’s a wonderful introduction for you:

Now that you’ve been properly acquainted, let’s go right on to a more intimate relationship. I get the impression Katers doesn’t mind of we move a bit fast. Spend about five minutes with her here:

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Katers17 has also done a 4-part series called “Garden Party,” which, I’m certain has nothing whatsoever to do with this blog, but is kind of serendipitous anyway! Here’s the first of the series…go on her journey!

To visit Katers17 right at her own home on YouTube, click on this little linky. You’ll be greeted by her and by her Team Captain SuperNote entry. Then, come back and tell me you adore her as much as I do. Then, go record your SuperNote and upload it to the contest!

Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

I promised you I’d let you in on the new interactive project Rhett and Link have cooked up. About an hour ago, they launched “SuperNote: The YouTube Experiment.” What’s this all about, you ask? The Boiz (as I have decided to refer to them from now on whether they like it or not) describe it this way:

The biggest, baddest, most innovative, most intense, YouTube user collaboration experiment in YouTube history is here! It’s SuperNote, where we find out who can hold it the longest on YouTube. A vocal note, that is. It just launched today with this intro video:

And, without further ado, here is the video explaining the experiment:

Shy about the notion of being seen by the whole world doing something this goofy? Me, too. I considered donning a foam clown nose, over-sized dark glasses and a hooded sweatshirt in order to gain the courage to upload my SuperNote. But, then I realized courage was not the necessary motivator…playfulness is. If you need the disguise, go ahead and wear one. I didn’t hear anything in the rules that said you couldn’t hide behind a mask! But, why not just enjoy the spirit of this experiment and become a part of something really fun!

Join whatever team you like (team captains include iJustine, Michael Buckley, Nalts, Brookers, and other familiar YouTube faces). My heart belongs to The Boiz (even as they begin to grow increasingly annoyed with me for calling them that). My SuperNote has been uploaded. Time will tell if my reputation will suffer for this, but I’m not running for office or even doing anything half as scandalous as so many who have run for office seem to have a predeliction for! So, I’m not sweating it. Hope to see your faces there! If you decide to do a SuperNote because of this blog, please comment and let me know who to look for over there!

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

By the time I received this email from my cousin Courtney, the “forward” was 10 levels deep. This baby’s getting around! Actually, this particular urban legend is enjoying a second life after last year’s viral campaign claiming an egg can be cooked by placing it between two activated cell phones. The concept seems to have originated from an article written on the Wymsey Village Web site in 2000. Though the site publishes spoofs, some genius (maybe two or three of ’em) decided to take that ball and run with it. And we, the ever-wiilling to swallow whatever looks like it might be juicy, slam-dunked it right into lore (Source: snopes.com).

Alas, we are easily bored, so if the same old hoax is to keep us fascinated, it needs a shiny new coat of paint. In June of this year, the new model was rolled out, making me wonder why it took so long to reach my inbox. The email carried a couple of comments from a few of the people who had forwarded it. Comments like:

“THIS IS WHY YOU NEED TO STOP USING YOUR CELL PHONE SO MUCH!! Check this out!”

There was a single word below that linked me to a video and promised me I would not believe my eyes. The word was:

POPCORN

Let’s face it, popcorn is a much more dynamic food than eggs. At least, from what you can see with the naked eye. Here’s what the link led me to:

Wasn’t that fun?

Now, if you’ve never encountered this concept before, chances are good you’ll do the same thing you did when you saw emails like the other one’s I’ve posted in this blog (Bill Cosby is running for president and the “front fell off” an Australian oil tanker): You’ll wonder for a minute or two whether this could really happen. But, let me make this very, very easy for you. It can’t. The three scenes in the video were actually part of a marketing campaign for a company called Cardo Systems, which manufactures wireless headsets (among other things). The YouTube community gobbled it up like cotton candy and a simple search on “cell phone popcorn” yields almost as many copycat videos as smarty-pants debunking videos. Go ahead and play with that over at YouTube if you have some free time on your hands. It’s good, mindless fun. But, I wouldn’t recommend actually getting your friends together with their cell phones and sitting around a coffee table for an hour trying to discover the truth about this for yourself. There is a difference, you know, between good, mindless fun and a complete waste of time!

In the interest of responsible reporting, I feel compelled to spend a moment on the current facts about the dangers (or lack of danger) of using your cell phone. Here’s a video from a 2007 Fox News broadcast:

And, for a more recent update, here’s a blog from Brian Dunning called Skeptoid that brings it all together very nicely. It has links to articles, references, and everything! I just became a fan of Skeptoid while researching this post! Of course, since he’s an atheist, I wish I could use my cell phone to transmit the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ right in to his doubting brain, but he’s a smart guy and does some very good work.

I’ll leave you with one heartfelt request: Please hang up and drive!

Proverbs 21:28 A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.